Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Falcons finalize contracts with veteran edge rushers Ebukam and Ojulari and defensive lineman Hand

Falcons finalize contracts with veteran edge rushers Ebukam and Ojulari and defensive lineman Hand | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons finalized contracts with three veteran defensive players on Monday to boost their depth on that side of the ball, signing defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari and defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.

Ebukam and Ojulari should give the Falcons some valuable depth at the edge rusher spots in light of the uncertainty surrounding James Pearce Jr., who was arrested last month after fleeing police and crashing his car following an alleged domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce, who was drafted in the first round last year by the Falcons, is facing multiple felony charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Ebukam, who is entering his 10th season in the NFL, has joined his fourth team after being drafted in the fourth round in 2017 by the Los Angeles Rams. He spent the last three years with the Indianapolis Colts, missing the 2024 season with a torn Achilles tendon. Ebukam has 35 sacks in 127 career games.

Ojulari played last year for the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the second round in 2021 by the New York Giants. The Georgia native was limited to three games last season, largely because of a hamstring injury.

Hand, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round in 2018, made a career-high 13 starts last year for the Los Angeles Chargers.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Falcons finalize contracts with veteran edge rushers Ebukam and Ojulari and defensive lineman Hand | iNFOnews.ca
FILE – Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Azeez Ojulari reacts during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Oct. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles